Emperors and the Arena

With Gladiators having recently arrived at the Queensland State Museum, Dr Malik's talk will examine the history of the games in Rome. In particular, she will focus on emperors' struggle to decide what was 'appropriate' involvement in these hugely popular and violent spectacles for the ruling elite. Julius Caesar attended, but faced criticism for not paying enough attention to the shows. Augustus corrected his adopted father's mistake. Tiberius legislated against equestrians becoming, or marrying, gladiators. Commodus, of course, is (in)famous for fighting on the sand of the arena himself. She will consider also the value of the games in Rome for the emperors – in other words, bread, circuses, and the 'Politics of Entertainment'.